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2026 Pet Name Hall of Fame

Ladies and gentlemen, pups and purrs, the moment you've been waiting for has arrived! 

Illustrated concept with bright yellow background showing ten ornate gold-framed portraits of cartoon pets arranged in two rows. The portraits include several dogs, cats, and an orca-like animal on colorful pink, green, and blue backgrounds. Beneath e
Illustrated concept with bright yellow background showing ten ornate gold-framed portraits of cartoon pets arranged in two rows. The portraits include several dogs, cats, and an orca-like animal on colorful pink, green, and blue backgrounds. Beneath e

Grab a seat on your comfiest chair, cosiest couch, favourite pet bed, or even your nearest human, as we reveal the AA Pet Insurance Name Hall of Fame for Dogs and Cats. Get ready for a tail-wagging, whisker-twitching countdown of the past year's most-loved pet names sourced from our AA Pet Insurance data. As we spotlight each pet name, we'll also have a peek into the big personalities behind them!

Top 5 Dog Names of 2026

Illustration of a white poodle-like dog standing inside an ornate gold picture frame against a blue background. Below the frame is a gold nameplate displaying the text “#5 Bella.” The dog has a fluffy coat, long ears, and a raised tail, and is shown in a side-facing pose with one front paw lifted.

#5 Bella

Bella has never met a mirror she didn’t think deserved a second look, especially when checking out her latest hairstyle.  Bella also enjoys long walks on East Coast beaches and styling the finest collars you can find. She loves riding in the car, wind in her face, but only when it involves visiting the groomers. 

Illustration of a Dalmatian dog with black spots sitting inside an ornate gold picture frame against a bright green background. The dog is shown in a side-facing pose with its head tilted slightly upward, tongue visible, and tail extending down along the frame. Beneath the portrait is a gold nameplate displaying the text “#4 Willow.”

#4 Willow

Willow likes to think she’s a nature loving free spirit, but she checks every 10 steps to see if mum and dad are following behind. Willow spends her free time chasing birds, staring down the mailman and judging any visitors. 

Illustration of a beagle-like dog standing inside an ornate oval gold picture frame against a blue background. The dog has brown, white, and black markings, with one front paw slightly raised and its tongue visible. Beneath the portrait is a gold nameplate displaying the text “#3 Charlie.”

#3 Charlie

Charlie has the best hearing when it comes to the words ‘snack, walk, or outside’, but his selective hearing turns on as soon as the term ‘bath’ is muttered. Charlie often believes he’s a big guard dog, sussing out suspicious rubbish bins, lampposts and neighbourhood ducks. 

Illustration of a brown-and-white spaniel-like dog shown in profile inside an ornate rectangular gold picture frame. The portrait has a bright pink background, and the dog has long dark ears, a white chest, and a brown coat. Beneath the frame is a decorative gold nameplate displaying the text “#2 Teddy.”

#2 Teddy

Ever since Teddy was a wee pup, he has loved one thing… HUGS! He will happily spend the whole day bunched up on the couch with his owners. Teddy also loves walks through town, specifically when the destination is a café. He makes sure he enjoys a pup cup while collecting pats from friendly café goers.  

Illustration of a black-and-white husky dog inside an ornate oval gold picture frame against a bright green background. The dog is shown in a playful, mid-step pose with one front paw extended beyond the frame and its tongue visible. Beneath the portrait is a decorative gold nameplate displaying the text “#1 Luna.”

#1 Luna

Luna loves gazing into the stars of the night sky, contemplating the important things in life, like when her next game of fetch is happening. She’s energetic, adventurous and has never met a car ride she didn’t want to be part of. If there’s an open road, a stick and someone willing to throw it, Luna is ready.

Top 5 Cat Names of 2026

Illustration of a gray cat sitting inside an ornate rectangular gold picture frame against a bright green background. The cat wears a light blue collar and is shown in profile with its tail curled into a spiral. A small striped ball rests near one front paw. Beneath the portrait is a decorative gold nameplate displaying the text “#5 Nala.”

#5 Nala

Nala is convinced she’s an Egyptian cat reborn into the 21st century, so she is to be treated as such. Her dream diet consists of only soft foods, most notably freshly imported canned sardines. Nala can be found patrolling her land with a regal stride, but only from the inside of the house, just in case…

Illustration of an orange tabby cat reclining inside an ornate rectangular gold picture frame against a bright pink background. The cat has darker orange stripes and markings, a curled tail extending toward the left side of the frame, and is looking over its shoulder. Beneath the portrait is a decorative gold nameplate displaying the text “#4 Pepper.”

#4 Pepper

Despite being named after a vegetable, Pepper is deathly afraid of any cucumber that crosses his path. Besides that, he’s got a calm and cruisy outlook on life. Pepper likes sitting, especially when it involves sitting on whatever you are actively trying to use.

Illustration of a cream-colored cat with brown ears and markings playfully hanging upside down from an ornate oval gold picture frame against a bright green background. Most of the cat’s body extends across and partly outside the frame, with the tail curled overhead and the front paws reaching downward beyond the frame’s edge. The cat’s pink paw pads are visible. Beneath the portrait is a decorative gold nameplate displaying the text “#3 Milo.”

#3 Milo

Milo is a fun-loving ball of energy. He’s never gotten the concept of indoor and outdoor cats; he just goes where he wants. Milo is happy to spend all day crashing the neighbour’s family BBQ, then treasure hunting under the deck before dinner. All that and he will still be back in time to jump on your chest as you fall asleep for the night.

Illustration of an orange cat standing inside an ornate oval gold picture frame against a bright blue background. The cat faces forward with one front paw extended toward the lower edge of the frame and its tail curved upward behind it. Beneath the portrait is a decorative gold nameplate displaying the text “#2 Leo.”

#2 Leo

Leo or as he prefers, Leo the lion, considers himself as the natural born leader of the household pride. His leadership duties include, but are not limited to, boxing cardboard boxes, knocking items off ledges, and attempting to taste test whatever you are in to.

Illustration of a black-and-white cat lying upside down inside an ornate rectangular gold picture frame against a bright pink background. The cat’s body stretches across most of the frame, with one paw raised and its head resting near the lower edge. Pink paw pads and a pink nose are visible. Beneath the portrait is a decorative gold nameplate displaying the text “#1 Luna.”

#1 Luna

Luna is an enigma of a cat, spending the majority of the day lounging around and sleeping. However, whilst the house sleeps Luna becomes active, no one knows her whereabouts while the moon is out. All we do know is that Luna is particularly fond of broomsticks. 

Whether they’re adventurous Lunas, cuddly Teddys or mischievous Milos, our pets quickly become part of the family. Their names are just one small reflection of the big place they hold in our lives. At AA Pet Insurance, we’re here to help Kiwi pet parents look after the pets who make every day a little more special.

Data is calculated on the number of AA Pet Insurance distinct policies associated with a dog or cat name between 04/07/2025 and 30/06/2026.